Adjacent Words

Scrutiny definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

SCRU'TINY, n. [L. scrutinium, from scrutor, to search closely, to pry into.]
1. Close search; minute inquiry; critical examination; as a scrutiny of votes; narrower
scrutiny. In the heat of debate, observations may escape a prudent man which will not bear the test of scrutiny.
2. In the primitive church, an examination of catechumens in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism on Easter-day. This was performed with prayers, exorcisms and many other ceremonies.
3. In the canon law, a ticket or little paper billet on which a vote is written.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes) [syn: examination, scrutiny]
2: a prolonged intense look

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural -nies) Etymology: Latin scrutinium, from scrutari to search, examine, probably from scruta trash Date: 1604 1. a searching study, inquiry, or inspection ; examination 2. a searching look 3. close watch ; surveillance

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. -ies) 1 a critical gaze. 2 a close investigation or examination of details. 3 an official examination of ballot-papers to check their validity or accuracy of counting. Etymology: ME f. L scrutinium f. scrutari search f. scruta rubbish: orig. of rag-collectors

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Scrutiny Scru"ti*ny, v. t. To scrutinize. [Obs.]

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Scrutiny Scru"ti*ny, n. [L. scrutinium, fr. scrutari to search carefuly, originally, to search even to the rags, fr. scruta trash, trumpery; perhaps akin to E. shred: cf. AS. scrudnian to make scrutiny.] 1. Close examination; minute inspection; critical observation. They that have designed exactness and deep scrutiny have taken some one part of nature. --Sir M. Hale. Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view And narrower scrutiny. --Milton. 2. (Anc. Church) An examination of catechumens, in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism on Easter Day. 3. (Canon Law) A ticket, or little paper billet, on which a vote is written. 4. (Parliamentary Practice) An examination by a committee of the votes given at an election, for the purpose of correcting the poll. --Brande & C.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

If a person or thing is under scrutiny, they are being studied or observed very carefully. His private life came under media scrutiny... N-UNCOUNT: oft prep N

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Search, examination, investigation, inquisition, exploration, sifting, inspection, searching or careful inquiry, close search, critical examination.

Moby Thesaurus

analysis, attention to detail, audit, check, close study, contemplation, eagle eye, enquiry, examination, exploration, eye, eyeball inspection, fascinated attention, finicalness, finickiness, fixed regard, harping, inquiry, inspection, investigation, look-in, meticulous attention, minute attention, ocular inspection, overhaul, overhauling, overview, perlustration, perusal, probe, probing, quality control, rapt attention, review, run-through, scan, sifting, special consideration, strict attention, study, surveillance, survey, tab, the eye, undivided attention, unrelenting attention, vetting, view, visitation, visual examination, watch